Bills on DEQ changes see positive reception

Holding to a campaign promise, Rep. Greg MacMaster, R-Kewadin, sponsored HB 4042 and HB 4043 bills as his first package of legislation back in January. But, only recently has the legislation begun to gain momentum in the Legislature by being approved by the House Regulatory Reform Committee. The bills are expected to the come to the floor for a vote this spring.

A pair of bills aimed at making the Michigan Department of Environment and Quality scientifically spell out its permit denials and requiring face to face time with applicants are gaining momentum in the House.

Holding to a campaign promise, Rep. Greg MacMaster, R-Kewadin, sponsored HB 4042 and HB 4043 bills as his first package of legislation back in January. But, only recently has the legislation begun to gain momentum in the Legislature by being approved by the House Regulatory Reform Committee. The bills are expected to the come to the floor for a vote this spring.

"This is what I campaigned on, being able to bring regulatory reform to the people of Michigan -- to improve the business climate through decreasing the regulatory burdens they have encountered," MacMaster said.

In the past, MacMaster has spoken aggressively about the permitting process being "cumbersome."

"Some of the permitting that has been denied in the past would be reasons without any scientific reasoning," MacMaster, a former meteorologist, said. "They didn't have to substantiate the reason."

The additional face to face time would be to help business owners and the DEQ worker personally find better solutions to potential sticking points, which might slow a business from opening.

MacMaster said he didn't see any additional cost associated with either of his bills, because the DEQ currently has the resources to fulfill the legislation's intent.

The bills follow two permit denials under the Granholm administration for coal plants in Roger City and Holland being overturned in court. Both permits were denied originally based on the argument that there was not a demonstrated "need" in Michigan for additional coal-fired power.

But, in the wake of those court losses and political overhaul to a Republican-led legislature in Lansing, the DEQ will be taking a different approach in the future.

While the DEQ does not traditionally comment on pending legislation, Dan Wyant, who became the DEQ director under the Snyder administration, spoke with the News-Review shortly after taking his position about reforming the DEQ into a more public friendly organization.

"Customer service is going to be a priority under this governor," Wyant said. "One of those customers is our stakeholder groups who we regulate."

Wyant said protecting water, air and other resources will still be the first priority, but the DEQ will also be a "full partner" in the economic development of the state going forward.

Conservation organizations have been supportive of the two bills in general.

Grenetta Thomassey, program director for the Petoskey-based Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, said she supports the intent of both bills.

"I believe the DEQ already bases their decisions on scientific rationale," Thomassey said. "This is something that -- in my experience dealing with the DEQ, permits are denied after looking at numerous concerns, numerous things that would effect whether they say yes or no. They are looking at these things through a lens of resource protection."

Dave Nyberg, legislative director for Michigan United Conservation Clubs, agreed that the legislation will likely not have a large impact on the how DEQ permit denials are issued, since the scientific rationale is used "throughout the decision making process."

But, Nyberg said MUCC supports the intent of both bills on the grounds that the organization is in favor of any changes that improve interactions for the public.